[Livi_Loves_Pink]

I hope this is the right board to post this...

Does a UTI always come with pain?

I feel like I need to go to the bathroom all the time. I wouldn't mind it as much if it wasn't for the fact that when I go I get almost no relief from that "gotta go" feeling, and I often can only go a very small amount. If I wait a while before letting myself go I will almost get to feeling that I will wet my pants, but still the amount I can go is not enough to have a full bladder. It gets worse at night, and is making it harder to fall asleep.

The reason I think this is not a UTI is that I have no pain or burning, and no bad/strong odor.

I have noticed being a little ichier than normal, though.

This has only been going on the past fthree or four weeks. I've always been the type to go to the bathroom often, but not nearly this much, and I always felt better after I did.

I'm 19 years old.

So, does this sound like a UTI? If not, then what might it be? I've been thinking about getting some testing strips from Wal-mart - do these work? I do not have any medical coverage and really do not want to go to the doctor, but this is getting ridiculous.

[tropicalgrl1]

I would definitely go to the doctor to check yourself out….pain can depend on the severity of the urinary tract infection. Initially for some no. But the longer you have it the more likely you will have pain.

The need to constantly urinate is the beginning…and it does feel worse at night
usually followed by increasing pain in lower abdomen and cramping
If it gets really severe it can lead to feeling like you are peeing razor blades and to blood in the urine and is just awful.

I am not familiar with itching or odor ever with UTIs, that sounds like the possibility of a yeast infection. Your doctor can confirm this for you.

Prevention is best tho' ....Always go to the bathroom before and after sex. Sex on a full bladder is one of the no-no's if you are prone to UTIs....and try to refrain from drying your underwear with softener sheets as they can cause irritatation and lead to UTIs as well.

Good Luck!

[Livi_Loves_Pink]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not really all that ichy, I've just noticed being ichy more often than before. It could be unrelated. And I meant I have no odor. I looked up UTI symptoms when I first though I might have one, and most sites mentioned urine having a bad/stong odor, and mine does not (another reason why I'm doubting it as a UTI).

I always use the bathroom before and after sex.

I've never had any kind of infection before. In fact I've never even been to a gynacologist before. Which I suppose mean I really should go, but I just really don't want to spend the money unless I have to. And I really really don't want to spend the money just to find out it's nothing serious.

[tropicalgrl1]

Livi, Hopefully your symptoms are easing??
One thing you can also do is to drink a ton of cranberry juice. Its cleansing to the urinary tract.

I absolutely understand the money issue. But our sexual health is worth every penny. There may be a family planning clinic in your area that you can visit. They will base fees upon your income and for those who qualify it can be free. A urine test is required to determine if a UTI exists and a doctor, Physician’s Assistant or Family Nurse Practitioner would be the one to order it for you. It is also possible that if you call ahead you might even get on the line who can listen to your symptoms and help you over the phone. Its rare but it [u]can[/]happen.

I just believe that it is so important that we take care of what I consider the physical core of our femininity, especially if we are sexually active and peace of mind is truly priceless.

I do hope that you are feeling better.